Vanuatu has found itself at the center of a dispute following the issuance of a "golden passport" to escapee Indian former cricket official, Lalit Modi.
Mr Modi — who is not related to the Indian prime minister — has resided in the United Kingdom since 2010 after being implicated in bid-rigging allegations and receiving kickbacks during his tenure as the chief of the profitable Indian Premier League (IPL).
The previous week, the individual, who is 61 years old, submitted an application to formally relinquish their Indian citizenship following the acquisition of citizenship from the tiny South Pacific nation of Vanuatu.
Facing increasing scrutiny, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat announced on Monday that he would revoke the passport of the discredited businessman.
However, as stated by the head of Vanuatu's Citizenship Commission, removing Mr Modi might not be so straightforward.
What's a 'golden passport'?
Through Vanuatu’s “golden passport” program, individuals from overseas have the opportunity to obtain citizenship by investing approximately $206,000 into the country via their Citizenship by Investment scheme.
The objective is to encourage foreign investment in Vanuatu.
Critics argue that the exorbitant cost coupled with the absence of visa or residency prerequisites makes this system appealing to money launderers and various criminal elements.
The European Union revoked its visa-free travel privilege from Vanuatu towards the end of last year, citing potential security threats linked to individuals possessing their investment-based passports.
Ni-Vanuatu Pacific policy and development specialist Anna Naupa stated that the newly appointed Prime Minister Napat’s 100-day agenda encompasses strengthening the country’s citizenship by investment program.
"This news about Mr Modi isn’t unexpected; it aligns with what Napat has stated he intends to do,"Ms Naupa commented.
Mr Napat stated that citizenship is a privilege not granted to individuals attempting to evade extradition, using this as grounds to revoke Mr Modi's passport.
"Being prime minister means we won’t provide sanctuary for fugitives or criminals," he stated.
We do not tolerate individuals who aim to exploit our citizenship program as an escape from justice.
However, Charles Maniel, the newly appointed head of Vanuatu's Citizenship Commission, informed the ABC that Mr Modi’s citizenship couldn’t be annulled unless he was found guilty of committing an offense.
He stated that although his office has to adhere to the prime minister's directives, they also have to ensure compliance with the law.
"For now, we haven't received any proof from a trustworthy source indicating that the individual in question has been found guilty and convicted," he stated.
"Should this be true, we will move forward with the revocation of his passport under the provisions of the Citizenship Act," he stated.
Upon being questioned, Mr Maniel stated that the commission had not obtained verification from India's judiciary confirming that Mr Modi had been found guilty.
"When faced with accusations towards one of our citizens, we must perform thorough investigations," he stated.
Who is Lalit Modi?
Lalit Modi, hailing from a distinguished business clan in India’s capital city, introduced the IPL in 2008, boldly stepping into the world of cricket.
The IPL has transformed cricket worldwide through its innovative player auction mechanism and its focus on T20, which offers a quicker and more thrilling version of the sport.
Mr Modi was lauded for attracting substantial funds and glitz to Indian cricket.
However, in 2010, he faced suspension from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to accusations involving financial improprieties and various forms of misconduct, as the league was being investigated for purportedly fixing tender offers.
That year, he departed from India and relocated to the United Kingdom.
In 2013, the BCCI prohibited Mr. Modi from participating in the organization's administrative functions indefinitely.
In contrast to Vanuatu, Britain has an extradition treaty with India. However, UK authorities have not managed or chosen to repatriate him, and he still hasn’t faced formal charges for any crime.
Over the years, Indian media outlets have claimed that he maintained an extravagant lifestyle during his voluntary exile, sharing details of getaways to the Maldives and Italy, as well as amassing high-end vehicles.
In India, his political ties sparked controversy, as the nationwide opposition pointed fingers at government officials for potentially having a conflict of interest in this matter.
Major Australian media organizations highlighted Lalit Modi's close ties to the then-Indian Foreign Minister, mentioning his connection with the sibling of the Interpol Chief and individuals affiliated with the governing political party.
Mr Modi has consistently claimed his innocence, asserting that the entire case against him is nothing more than a political witch hunt.
In a post on the social media site X, he stated that he had not been informed about any ongoing extradition processes or cases in Indian courts concerning himself.
The citizenship department is informed about these claims.
Following the uproar surrounding Mr Modi's Vanuatu citizenship, it was disclosed that the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit informed the citizenship department about the accusations against him last year.
Even so, the commission proceeded to approve his application.
Specialists believe the override is incorrect.
"It is clearly an issue that the Citizenship Commission is not heeding the recommendations of the organization tasked with vetting these applicants," stated Tess Newton Cain, who specializes in Pacific policy and development.
Mr Maniel has provided assurances that he will investigate the conditions under which his predecessor approved the matter.
However, the commission, along with the prime minister and specialists, also attribute the issue to poor collaboration among law enforcement organizations.
Mr Napat stated in a release that the international law enforcement organization Interpol had rejected India’s requests to issue an alert notice for Mr Modi because of “an absence of adequate legal proof.”
Mr Napat stated that if the warning notice had been approved, Mr Modi's citizenship would have been automatically rejected.
Ms Naupa, who specializes in Pacific policies, mentioned that the issues with communication between national and international bodies are deeply rooted.
"Although Vanuatu has conducted thorough checks, some links within the international system for transmitting crucial data haven’t consistently functioned smoothly," she stated.
We need to keep an eye on that. The system requires reinforcement.
In spite of all the debate surrounding the issue, Mr Maniel, who heads Vanuatu’s Citizenship Commission, informed the ABC that there were benefits for Vanuatu despite the controversies.
“When this story hit the web, it garnered around 15 million views for Vanuatu, which is beneficial for our cause,” he stated.
A larger number of individuals will become aware of our nation. Additionally, it conveys to the global community that we are committed to addressing this golden passport matter seriously.
